Ribbiting Friendship: A Leap of Joy

In a small town of a distant land there lived a cheerful, spirited teenager called Becky, the third of the Super Seven siblings. Becky was a dreamer; no, not the calm and quiet type, but one whose imagination always ran riot, getting her in and out of many a scrape.

Becky loved whistling, yes, you heard right! She was a whistler, something unheard of, of a girl in the bygone era of the 70s. Nevertheless, her broadminded parents let her be the little tomboy that she was! 

It so happened that Becky found herself a friend extraordinaire. And guess where? Why, in the bathroom, of course! Didn’t see that one coming now, did you? A Frog Friend! And how? Well here goes… . Whistling a short tune, Becky came in for her bath, when, magically, she heard a frog croak. Startled out of her wits, Becky flew out of the bathroom screaming. So much for being a tomboy! 

Hoping that the horrible creature would have hopped out of the bathroom when she ventured to go in again after sometime, Becky waltzed in again, whistling a tuneless song just to keep her spirits up. And, lo and behold, the frog began its sonorous croaking.  Feeling a bit emboldened, Becky whistled louder, more to calm her frayed nerves though. Each time she whistled the frog croaked in response, or so it seemed. And thus began the fortuitous friendship between Becky and the Frog in her bathroom! 

The family found this strange friendship both amusing and astonishing, but never once did they dissuade her from being Froggy’s friend. Froggy, for most part, remained hidden behind a large trough of water. Those were the days when one had to draw water from the well and fill troughs, cisterns and buckets in the bathroom.

Becky and Froggy spoke to each other every day in croaks and whistle. I learnt a valuable lesson way back then, that friendship knows no barriers, language including. Sometimes their conversations went well beyond bath time and Mumzie sweetheart, Becky’s darling mother, had to remind her that her other siblings were waiting to bathe as well. Life for these strange friends went smoothly for a time.

Some things are too good to be true, and so it happened, one evening, upon returning from work, Daddy, as usual, went in for his bath. Suffice to say all he’ll broke loose, for, Froggy, misreading the footfall, began frolicking around the bathroom. Daddy dearest was nothing short of livid – a frog in his bathroom! Out came the broomstick to drive dear Froggy out, much to the dismay of Becky (and the rest). Mum too joined in the chorus of voices entreating Dad to leave Froggy alone. Well, Daddy was strict man, but he also had a heart of gold!

The months that followed were pure bliss. Froggy and Becky kept up their conversations, and sometimes even discussions, undisturbed, these fine threads weaving strong, the fabric of their friendship until the time Becky had to leave home for further studies. Almost as if sensing the pain of parting closing in on them, Froggy took the leap of life and jumped right out into the open, his quiet abode, the bathroom, soon to be a forgotten phase in life. Doubly shaken by his sudden decision to move on as it were, and come face to face with Bingo, the family’s Alsatian, Froggy knew better than to tarry!  Froggy was never seen or heard of again – Becky’s irrevocable loss, but I would like to think, Froggy’s much needed gain, for I am certain Froggy finally found true joy in being reconciled with his own frog family. 

Three score years and counting, still Becky’s bizarre but remarkable friendship with Froggy remains an integral part of her life. Happiness is sure doubled when shared!

(Betty D’Couto is the former Head, PG & Research Centre of English, Lady Doak College. She taught there for 35 years.)